Category: Blog Topics of General Interest
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The $20,000 Flea Market Find
I usually don’t spend time digging through dusty boxes at the flea market. But last Sunday, a bizarre album cover caught my eye. In this post, I share the story of a ridiculous two-euro bluegrass record that turned out to be a $20,000 find.
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Merry Fir Tree
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You and Your Loved Ones!
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2024 How do you set it up?
Despite the current world situation, I am welcoming the New Year with an optimistic, Daoist mindset. In this post, I want to take a moment to thank my readers for their continued support and share a surprisingly positive forecast for 2024, based on a rather unusual metric: twenty years of spam emails.
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When the let-go period is over
Presentation: I have chosen a work that probably does not immediately cause a “love at first sight” feeling to everybod. Plus a book presentation video.
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works on meditation
We produce tens of thousands of thoughts every day, but very few of them actually matter. This post explores the practice of meditation, dealing with a restless mind, and learning how to let our jumping thoughts simply fade away like passing clouds.
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about letting go
A reflection on flow within recent ink works, focusing on movement, rhythm and intuitive gesture. The article presents new pieces shaped by unforced expression, explores how brushwork becomes more direct, and considers how artistic flow emerges through practice, reduction and openness.
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Cucumber cutting, abstracting and –
A brief note on cutting cucumbers and the small routines that shape a day. The text touches on simple gestures, quiet moments and the ease that comes from doing something familiar. A light, almost playful reminder of how ordinary actions can steady the mind.
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Something totally different: My new Friend Bing Chat
Many people have a negative view of tools like ChatGPT and Bing Chat, but I think we are missing out on real opportunities. In this post, I want to clarify a few aspects of this technology and look beyond the current fears and objections to see how we can actually use it.
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Two Links – TV Portrait and Dao Index
A brief reflection on a TV portrait broadcast in Austria and China. The post comments on diplomatic relations, long‑standing cultural ties, an updated Daoism index and a painting connected to Kokoschka’s tradition. A light mix of personal notes, context and artistic reference.
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Interview for TV and Stream
A personal account of filming a TV portrait for Chinese television and okto.tv in Austria. The post recalls earlier exhibitions, long‑standing cultural ties, the preparation of older works, and the three‑hour interview session at home. It also reflects on past projects in China, the atmosphere during media work, and the mix of curiosity, professionalism and…
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About Jack
Our generation takes many internet developments for granted, but I am still enthusiastic about the unexpected connections it creates. Today, I am sharing the story of Jack—a friend I have never actually met in person. After seeing a video of my calligraphy and contemporary ink painting, he reached out to purchase a few pieces. It…
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New Works for Old Series
I have been painting a lot lately. Today, I am sharing new works that complement my ongoing series: gestural abstraction and abstract surrealism. My gestural pieces are closely tied to my calligraphy practice and contemporary ink painting. They rely heavily on Daoism and the constant balance of opposites (yin-yang) to guide the expression. Meanwhile, my…
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belated halloween #WordlessWednesday #snapshot
basement window in the streets of verona, italy 2014. photo for #WordlessWednesday
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standpoint and point of view #WordlessWednesday
A standpoint as point of view. Wien, Liesing 2022. Photo for #WordlessWednesday
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alternative to #WordlessWednesday
Silly old news from The United Kimdon ®: In times like these, we all need something to cheer us up and nothing is better than the unvarnished reality, away from political correctness. Alternative to #WorlessWednesday
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At Front page of Chinese Newspaper Again
The 光明日报 guangming daily has published a quite detailed report about me, and that on the front page. Last year an article about me, with a focus on calligraphy, appeared in this important newspaper,
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teaser for next exhibition
I’ve been needing a few short video clips for my work for a long time. With a little effort I was able to get something going myself, but then the result was too boring for me and I left this task to someone else.
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Flyer for my Beijing Exhibition
Flyer for my exhibition in Beijing this spring. Honoring 50 years of cultural exchange between Europe and China.
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2021 Year in Review
A look back at 2021 — new publications, an honorary certificate, and two exhibitions in Beijing and Vienna planned for the year ahead.
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A Certificate of Honor for Austrian-Chinese Relations
Receiving a certificate of honor for Austrian-Chinese relations, presented by former President Heinz Fischer.
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My Essay on Qi Baishi in the China Report
A special anniversary publication on the relationship between Austria and China features contributions from prominent figures like Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, and Sebastian Kurz. My own piece is the longest and focuses on the painter Qi Baishi. I wrote it because the Vienna World Museum is receiving an…
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Another long article about me in a Chinese newspaper
An interview with Chinese newspaper Guangming Daily on studying at the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Austrian-Chinese cultural exchange.
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Chinese TV invited me for calligraphy
I was on Chinese TV 3 days ago showing me writing a couplet for Chinese New Year and talking a little about my life and years in China.
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Out of the Dark: An Oil Painting from Post-Cultural Revolution China
An oil painting of Chinese children emerging from the shadow of the Cultural Revolution, recently published in a book on Austrian-Chinese history.